Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects

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© Tamás Bujnovszky

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  • Architects: ARCHIKON ARCHITECTSInterior Designers: KROKI
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  12500
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Atlas Concorde, GRAPHISOFT, Inkiostro Bianco, Tom Dixon, Ariostea, Arte, Bloomingville, Fardis, Florim, House Doctor, JAB, KAZA, La Cividina, MAXALTO, Molteni & C, Muraspec, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Sicis, Villeroy & Boch, +1
  • Lead Architects: Csaba Nagy, Károly Pólus, Krisztina T. Major, Ádám Pásztor, Miklós Batta
  • Lead Designers: Balázs Kéry, András Göde
  • Team: Béla Gál, Zoltán Harmat-Szabó, Tímea Téby, Dominika Sárközi, Katalin Horváth-Maróti, Péter Debreczeni, Ferenc Göde, Bálint Csóka, Annamária Tóth, Zsuzsanna Kertész, Renáta Paunoch
  • Textile Designer: Netti Czóbel
  • F&B Space Firm: Sky Hospitality
  • F&B Space Designer: Henry Chebaane
  • City: Budapest
  • Country: Hungary
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Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects - Image 2 of 75
© Tamás Bujnovszky

Text description provided by the architects. One of the most ornamented buildings in Europe, Paris Court is brought into the light for all to see. A popular location in spy films, the historical building has been renovated by interior design studio KROKI and architecture studio ARCHIKON, recreating the once-glamourous setting of Budapest’s iconic architectural gem.

Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects - Image 3 of 75
© Tamás Bujnovszky

Had you visited the Paris Court in downtown Budapest only a handful of years ago, you’d have met with a significantly different impression. Darkened corners, rusted metalwork and damage from the tumultuous wartime events that shook Europe in the 20th Century all combined to make for an architectural sight that was at once historically rich yet in many ways a shadow of its former glory. In fact, it was a popular destination for filmmakers, who saw the opportunity to leverage the combination of the ornate passageway and limited natural light for covert undercover meetings in spy films - such as 2011’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Over the last three years, a partnership between interior design studio KROKI and architecture studio ARCHIKON has worked to revive the downtown location, restoring the dark and damaged arcade to a decorated landmark that introduces proper lighting to its intricate details for the first time in its history.

Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects - Image 5 of 75
© Tamás Bujnovszky

The goal was first to restore the historical features of the central passageway, which is now open to the public as it had been prior to its disrepair. This meant maintaining the unique facades and decorative elements of the building that its creator, Henrik Schmahl, had designed it with when it was built at the beginning of the 1900s. Glimpses of Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau and Moorish aesthetics can be spotted throughout the covered space. The myriad details that once decorated the passageway is a rarity across Europe, and so when work started it was essential that these same features were restored and maintained to their previous, ornate glory.

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© Tamás Bujnovszky
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© Tamás Bujnovszky

The partnership between the two studios meant close cooperation to help restore the building’s grandeur and architectural significance. KROKI worked primarily on the interior design aspects of the restoration, using the unique mix of historic styles for their contemporary interpretation in the newly renovated apartments above that are now repurposed as part of a five-star hotel.

Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects - Image 21 of 75
© Tamás Bujnovszky

ARCHIKON lead the architectural and general construction work of both the building’s renovation and its newer functions and features. It began the process by first protecting the most important aspects of the Paris Court, particularly by designing a custom case for the glass dome that additionally allows visitors to view the passageway from above. ARCHIKON also designed a brand new floor added on the top of the building, where it aimed to find a balance between privacy and openness, modern and historic.

Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects - Image 26 of 75
© Tamás Bujnovszky

In rescuing the Paris Court for a contemporary era, the public can once again experience the glory of this unique European landmark. Thanks to the restored glass dome and tactful decorative elements, Schmahl’s unique passageway has been brought into the light for all to enjoy.

Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects - Image 9 of 75
© Tamás Bujnovszky

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Address:Budapest, Hungary

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About this office
Cite: "Paris Court / KROKI + Archikon Architects" 13 Aug 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/922706/paris-court-archikon> ISSN 0719-8884

© Tamás Bujnovszky

巴黎宫殿,匈牙利历史建筑涅槃重生 / Archikon

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